Norwood Scale: Stages of Male Pattern Baldness & Treatment Options

An experienced and skilled dermatologist or hair transplant surgeon must examine the scalp under magnification, preferably using a device called a “video densitometer,” to ascertain the level of miniaturization of the hair follicles. This device magnifies a little portion of the scalp where the hair has been clipped to about 1 mm in length. Through the densitometer, dermatologists assess if the scalp is normal, has healthy terminal hairs, and has full thickness in follicular units with hair shafts of static diameter, or if it exhibits a scalp with decreased hair shafts sized due to miniaturization, a feature of androgenetic alopecia.

This evaluation is quite substantial for advising upon the appropriate course of hair loss treatment. Hairs may be in inconsistent and changing states of miniaturization, but if the follicles are continually revealed to the DHT hormone, there are pretty much chances that they will, at a time, stop producing hairs, and the follicles will eventually disappear. The diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia is reinforced by the family history of hair loss; however, a positive history is not always recognized, and the unavailability of other medical causes of alopecia. In patients of older age (40-60 years), their personal history of traveling through the different Norwood stages is strongly indicative of male pattern alopecia.